Computer Concepts Projects 3 and 4 Dozer’s Quintessential Guide to Computer Literacy CO SCI 58

Who will be using the system? Family, student, professional, art, hobbies How much can you spend and do you need financing? What kinds of applications will the computer be used for? –Schoolwork with Office and Internet –Artwork using Adobe Software –Games –Video and photo editing Choosing a System

Desktop System Price Ranges Low End <= $500 Fine for student work using Microsoft Office and browsing the Internet. Mid Range <= $1000 Good for professional use with some web authoring and graphic production. High End > $1000 Serious gaming, video and art editing and publishing.

Low End: EMACHINES desktop for $460 Processor & Memory: AMD Athlon II 170u 2.0 GHz 4GB DDR3 SDRAM memory Drives: 500GB (7,200RPM) SATA 3Gb/s hard drive 16x SuperMulti DVD R/RW drive Graphics & Video: 18.5" diagonal widescreen flat panel monitor with integrated speakers Integrated Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6150 Communications: 9 USB ports, two PS/2, one VGA Gigabit Ethernet Multi-in-One memory card reader Keyboard & Mouse: PS/2 Keyboard Optical Mouse Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) Additional : Microsoft Office Starter Power Supply: 300W

High End Systems More memory A larger hard drive (RAID system) A faster processor A graphics card with a large amount of memory A Blu-Ray drive Touch screen Windows 7 Ultimate

Notebook Computers Notebook prices are always higher than desktop for similar power. Use processors that conserve power. Price varies based on: –Processor –Screen size (diagonal) –Amount of memory –Hard drive size

Two companies compete: AMD and Intel Intel’s top of the line processor is the I7 4 cores runs at 3.06 GHz up to 12 MB of Cache 8 channels of hyperthreading AMD has the Phenom II X6 6 cores runs at 3.2 GHz 6 MB of cache High End Processors

Netbooks and laptop computers need to conserve power. AMD and Intel make less powerful, ultra low power processors AMD Neo: 2 cores, 2MB cache, 1.7 GHz Intel Atom: 1 or 2 cores,.5MB cache, 1.83 GHz Notebook Processors

AMD family includes: Phenom Triple Core Turion Dual Core Athlon Dual core. Intel family includes: I5 I3 Pentium Dual core. Medium Range Processors

Surge Suppressor – absorbs power surges or spikes Anti-Static Mat – if floor is carpeting, you can build up static electricity in your body by walking to the computer UPS – battery powered backup in case of a power failure Anti-Virus software – protects computer against malicious software that will delete files or use your computer to infect others. Backups – Have CD’s, DVD’s or USB drives that you back up your important files to regularly Protect your investment

Computer Vision Syndrome Dry eyes Blurred vision Headaches Use artificial tears, change office lighting,take breaks Health Problems from Computer Use

Physical Problems Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist and hand pain) Use wrist rest Ergonomic keyboard Wrist Brace May require medication or surgery Others: neck, back and shoulder pain, weight gain